UHEXSO EXPEDITION GUIDELINES AND TIPS

There is a lot of information on this page. Please take time to read over it carefully.

What will be expected of me? Unfortunately, not enough people facing their first marine archeology project or diving expedition ask this question. Often their heads are filled with dreams of sunken Spanish galleons lying on the bottom in clear, warm water. That may be the case in some places, but no such luck in Texas. Marine archeology in Texas is often characterized by hard, tedious work in extreme heat or cold, lack of visibility, and poor conditions, to say the least. That said, what UHEXSO expects from volunteers is a willingness to participate, follow directions, learn, be safe, and have a good time.

First things first: Texas law prohibits you from removing any object associated with a shipwreck. Period. So don't expect to take home any souvenirs other than photographs and good stories. Also, as mentioned earlier, diving can be difficult due to factors such as limited visibility, strong currents, and wave action. Know your diving limitations and let those limitations be known to UHEXSO supervisors ahead of time. The last thing a Diving Supervisor wants is for you to have a bad diving experience or get injured. This applies to non-divers as well. Support crew is the backbone of a successful operation, so if you don't dive, don't worry. We still want you to participate and we need your help.

Some typical questions about UHEXSO expeditions

How much time will I have to take from job, family or school? UHEXSO tries to keep projects going by conducting "mini-expeditions." These expeditions generally run from Saturday morning until Sunday noon, plus travel time. We send out notices of upcoming events at least 30 days in advance. These can be checked on the UHEXSO Events Page.

How much do expeditions cost? While expeditions are often relatively inexpensive, you will usually have to absorb the costs of travel, accommodations and meals. UHEXSO tries to get discounted hotel rates and encourages car pooling. Meals are generally up to the group, but are usually cheap: pizza, burgers, etc.. For some events, UHEXSO may charge an event fee. This is usually under $25 and covers consumables like water, sodas, snacks, and tank fills. If an event fee is to be charged, notification will go out ahead of time.

Will I have to buy a lot of stuff to get ready? The answer is probably no, if you have your own diving gear. UHEXSO also has some of the specialized gear needed for projects. Other gear necessary for some projects is discussed below.

What if I need to leave during an expedition? We will make every attempt to help you out. A lot depends on the situation, of course, so remember to be flexible. If you must leave an event due to an emergency, your needs will be given the highest priority.

What if I get sick or injured? We will help you in any way possible and make sure you get proper medical care. Should you have to go to the hospital, a UHEXSO team member will be with you at all times and will assist you in contacting your emergency contact person and helping you in every way possible until you are home.

Can I bring a friend or the kids? Normally the answer is yes, but check with a Diving Supervisor ahead of time. Children under 14 may not be allowed offshore and children under 12 are discouraged from going on expeditions. Please note: Children and family are always welcome at UHEXSO shore-based dive rallies and events.

What to Bring

Space is limited, so don't bring everything you own!! Space is a critical factor, especially on boats, so keep your things to a minimum. Below is discussion of items you should bring with you on an expedition or project. General gear and dive gear are discussed separately.

General gear

a) Any prescription medications you take regularly.

b) If you wear contacts, bring cleaning solution, a lens holder and a pair of eyeglasses, just in case.

c) Hat, sunglasses, sun screen or sunblock, waterless hand cleaner or towels and mosquito repellent.

d) For shoes, a good pair of steel-toed work shoes which are broken in and comfortable are best. Sneakers and deck shoes are okay as well. What are not allowed are open-toed sandals or flip-flops. Bring extra socks. Also, check the weather, as foul weather gear and a jacket may be needed. Bring a pair of gloves to protect your hands.

e) Note pad and pen, a good pocket knife and a good waterproof watch.

Diving Gear

1. Prior to going on an expedition inspect all of your diving equipment and make sure it is in good working order. Get your regulator serviced and if you bring tanks, make sure they are V.I.P. and hydro tested and filled.

2. Carry a spares kit, repair manuals and specialty tools for repairing your dive gear.

3. Most of the diving on UHEXSO's marine archeology projects is in less than 30 feet of water. The dive conditions can involve a lot of silt and sediment in the water, so you may want to use your back-up regulator, BC and wet suit. You may also want to leave expensive dive computers at home. Wearing a pair of coveralls over your wet suit can protect it from nicks and cuts. Coveralls work well as a dive suit in the summer as they offer protection from nicks and cuts and are lightweight.

4. Have a good pair of thick-soled dive booties, gloves and a thin hood at all times. Keep wrist-mounted gauges to a minimum.

5. Avoid using snap shackles for attaching gear. They can snag on line or brush, so use locking or non-snag fasteners.

6. Carry at least two knives and a pair of wire cutters on every dive. Also you will need a slate, compass and dive light. It is also good to have a dive log and always have your dive certification card with you as well.

7. Keep gear to a minimum: Split common items with your buddy and take time to inspect your gear before you go. 90% of a successful dive is preparation before the dive.

Tips

Clothing: Clothing should be light colored and loose-fitting in summer months and warm in the winter. If you are easily sunburned, long sleeve shirts and pants are not a bad idea. Cotton is the best material as it is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. While jeans are okay, a lot of us have found that BDU or military style cotton pants are better than jeans as they are cheaper, have more pockets and dry faster than jeans if they get wet.

Foul weather gear: There is a lot of really good stuff on the market at all price ranges. I suggest a good "construction site" rain suit, which can be purchased at Home Depot for less than $25 for jacket, hood and pants. See the UHEXSO Links Page for Brigade Quartermaster and Cabela's web sites for expedition clothes and gear. Also, Academy Sports is a good source for gear in Texas. Remember: While some things claim to be waterproof, they aren't. Check the stuff out before you use it. Nothing is worse than being cold and wet during a long day in the field.

Sometimes we have to trek onshore through heavy brush to get to a wreck site. If this is the case (you will know ahead of time) long pants, boots and snake guards may be warranted or required.

Keeping stuff dry: Use a plastic bag to keep important items dry, and carry a spare plastic bag for wet clothes and towels. You can also purchase "dry bags" which work well and cost from $15 to $45 depending on size and style.

A crushproof dry box is an excellent investment for carrying items such as camera, cell phone and pager. Put your wallet and car keys in a safe place. Don't keep them in your pockets, as they could fall out or get wet. Sunglasses keepers are really handy for preventing glasses from slipping off your face and into the water.

What Not to Bring

1. Anything that can't be replaced if it gets ruined or lost. You can wear gloves or put a band aide or tape over rings to prevent loss of the rings when diving or working in the water. Try to keep other jewelry to a minimum.

2. Clothes you would not mind getting stained or dirty. Expensive sunglasses or eyeglasses can also get lost or broken.

3. Firearms or illegal drugs. These items are strictly forbidden during UHEXSO events.

4. Food that can easily spoil or that requires preparation. Normally we do not have stoves or microwaves on the boats.

Personal Safety

Heat is your worst enemy offshore. Heat exhaustion and stroke are very real problems and can be life threatening. To help reduce risk, get acclimatized to the heat well before you go out on an expedition. Drink water or sports drinks continually. Pace yourself through the day. If you get tired or too hot, take a break and get in the shade. Avoid medications which can cause you to dehydrate faster than normal. Snack on light foods or fruit as opposed to eating a heavy meal.

If you are prone to motion sickness which can't be controlled through medication, don't go offshore when the weather is rough. Being sick can ruin your day and can cause significant delays during a project. If you sometimes get sea sick, check with your doctor for medications that can help.

Vaccinations: Several diving doctors suggest getting a tetanus booster and hepatitis A and B vaccines when diving in potentially contaminated water. It is also advisable to use ear drops to protect against infection. Check with your doctor.

The most important rule for personal safety is to always be aware of your surroundings. Watch for potential hazards and be prepared to take action. The second most important rule is: If you don't know, ask!

Getting Information and Communications

Check the UHEXSO Links Page for the Golden Triangle Weather Page for weather information on the Gulf of Mexico. This is the best source of information on weather conditions and is what the UHEXSO Project Team uses for planning. Also check the UHEXSO web site and e-mail notifications for important information. You will also receive contact cell phone and pager numbers for UHEXSO Team Leaders, so if a problem comes up you can let someone know. Also, always try to be on time and if you are running late, contact your UHEXSO Team Leader and let him or her know. Communication is good and good communication is critical for a successful operation.

These are just guidelines to help you get ready. If you have additional questions or comments, please contact UHEXSO at: UHEXSO@airmail.net or call one of the UHEXSO team leaders in your area for help or advice.